Start by checking the energy use of your fridge or freezer, which runs continuously, then look at appliances you use frequently. According to ADEME, general energy-use figures alone aren’t enough to decide whether replacing an appliance is right for your household. Compare your actual usage, the capacity you need and whether the appliance can be repaired before making a choice.
A fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer runs continuously. If you’re thinking of replacing yours, compare its annual energy use with models offering a similar usable capacity. ADEME highlights that these appliances run all the time.
If you run frequent wash cycles or cook regularly, the number of times you use these appliances matters when deciding whether to replace them. For a dishwasher, compare the capacity you typically need with the figures for the Eco programme.
Before ordering a new appliance, check whether your warranty applies, whether replacement parts are available and whether you can get a repair quote.
Start with the energy use and frequency of use of your current appliances, then compare them with replacements of a suitable capacity. The same energy label won’t meet every household’s needs.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge or fridge-freezer | Compare the kWh/year and compartment capacities of models suited to the same needs. If possible, note the energy use of your current appliance. | My appliance stays on all the time. I want to find out whether replacing it would reduce its energy use without unnecessarily increasing the capacity. |
| Freezer | Check the kWh/year, the freezer capacity you need and the installation requirements. The European Commission says the EU energy label shows annual energy use. | I have a separate freezer and want to check whether its capacity still matches what I store. |
| Dishwasher | The European Commission says the label shows kWh per 100 cycles. Compare this figure for the Eco programme, along with water use per cycle and capacity, then consider how many cycles you run each year. | I run cycles often, but the size of the appliance also needs to suit my usual loads. |
| Hob | Identify the type of hob you’re replacing, how often you cook and any installation requirements. The European Commission states that hobs are not required to carry an energy label. | I often cook on an electric hob and want to assess a replacement based on how I use it, rather than relying on an energy rating that doesn’t exist for this product. |
| Oven | Before considering a replacement, think about how often you use the oven, how much capacity you need and the condition of your current one. | If I rarely use my oven, I’d rather check how much it contributes to my energy use than replace it just because it’s old. |
| Repair | If an appliance breaks down, contact the retailer if a warranty may apply, check which parts are available and ask for a quote. For dishwashers, the repairability index indicates how easy a model is to repair, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. | I want to find out whether my appliance can be repaired before deciding to buy another one. |
Age alone doesn’t tell you how much more energy an appliance uses compared with a new one. A larger model may also be unsuitable for your household’s needs.
If possible, note your current appliance’s energy use, then compare the kWh figures for models with similar capacities and intended uses.
Energy use for a fridge or freezer is shown in kWh/year, while a dishwasher’s is shown in kWh per 100 Eco programme cycles. These figures don’t directly describe the same type of use, as the labels presented by the European Commission show.
For a dishwasher, take into account how many cycles you run each year. For a fridge or freezer, compare the kWh/year with the storage capacity you need.
A breakdown doesn’t necessarily mean that replacement is your only option. Check whether the warranty applies and whether parts are available for your model.
Contact the retailer if a warranty may apply, ask about parts and get a quote before making a decision.
ADEME’s estimates are based on assumptions about how appliances are used. Your number of cycles, settings and the energy use of the appliance you’re replacing may differ.
Compare energy use on a basis that suits your household, and consider whether repair is an option too.
These models offer two possible replacement options: a fridge-freezer that runs continuously, or a dishwasher with a capacity suited to your usual loads. Compare their specifications with those of your current appliance before deciding.
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Worth considering as a replacement for a fridge-freezer with a similar capacity. The product specifications show 169 kWh/year for 333 L. Check this figure on the energy label and allow for the clearances specified for installation.
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The listed compartment capacities of 230 L for refrigeration and 114 L for freezing let you check whether the layout suits you. The product specifications give an energy use of 254 kWh/year. Compare the energy label with those of similar-capacity appliances and check the ventilation space required.
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Consider this model if a total capacity of 444 L genuinely meets your storage needs. The product specifications show 289 kWh/year. Check this figure on the energy label and compare the capacity of each compartment with your current appliance.
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This countertop model is worth considering if your usual loads fit within its 3-place-setting capacity. The product specifications state 0.39 kWh per cycle. Check which programme this figure applies to before comparing it with other dishwashers’ kWh per 100 Eco programme cycles.
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Worth considering if your usual loads suit a 13-place-setting capacity and your kitchen unit can accommodate a fully integrated installation. To assess energy use, check the kWh per 100 Eco programme cycles and water use per cycle, as well as the required dimensions and connections.
Start by checking the annual energy use of your fridge or freezer, which runs continuously, then look at appliances you use frequently. ADEME’s guidance can help you understand these patterns, but your priorities depend on how much energy your current appliances use and how often you use them.
No. The European Commission also shows kWh/year and capacity for fridges and freezers, and kWh per 100 Eco programme cycles for dishwashers. Compare these figures between appliances with a capacity suited to your needs.
No. The European Commission says there is no requirement for hobs to carry an energy label. If you’re considering a replacement, look at your current hob, how you use it and any installation requirements rather than searching for an A to G rating.
Check whether the warranty applies, whether parts are available and whether you can get a repair quote. In France, the ministry responsible for the economy says the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader. Contact the retailer to discuss your situation.
Check the model’s energy label and the European EPREL register. The European Commission says EPREL lets you compare the specifications of relevant models. Look in particular at energy use and capacity for your needs.